The underlying question is obviously: who would we rather face at home in the playoffs?
Defense travels well, so that's the argument for not wishing to face the Panthers. Then again, our pass defense against the kitties at Century Link...
Elite QB in the playoffs is always dangerous, shellacking last Monday notwithstanding. Hasselbeck had the game of his life against the Saints (okay at home) in the Beast Mode game. And Hass had been having a season to forget.
As to which team would give me more satisfaction beating at home in the playoffs, that's a close one also. The Saints got way too much love during the run-up to the Monday night game, but that's all vanished, plus we've already had the fun of beating them in Seattle in the playoffs.
I can't decide, so I'm going with: we'll wipe the field with either at home.
Edit: Brees is pretty classy and Newton still pisses me off with his little wiggle and cute pointing after a first down, so in that case I'd rather ruin his day in the playoffs.